Agenda item

Questions in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Children’s Services.

 

Councillor Saunders and Councillor Clynch on foster carers and recruitment.

 

The Executive Member agreed that the availability of foster care places within Middlesbrough needed to increase and a target of 170 places had been set for this year.   Reducing the number of children and young people in care was also a key aim.  Recruitment was taking place and there had been some excellent work promoting foster caring as an extremely valuable and rewarding opportunity.  The Executive Member shared some recent successful examples of the use of social media as recruitment tool and the support available for anyone interested in becoming a carer.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Development.

 

Councillor McClintock on the Local Plan and the Nunthorpe Grange Masterplan.

 

The Executive Member offered an apology that an updated Masterplan had not yet been published.  The planning application referred to by Councillor McClintock would be considered in the usual way by the Planning and Development Committee.

 

The Mayor invited Councillor McClintock to meet with him, the Executive Member for Development and the Director of Regeneration after the Council meeting for further discussion.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability.

 

Councillor Livingstone on Flood Management.

 

The Executive Member confirmed that the Highways Service had undertaken a review of the Gulley Cleansing Programme to prioritise those areas that were most affected by build-up of vegetation and silt.  Following the review a two-year cycle was in place to visit those areas at least once a year and the estates twice per year.  Those areas most affected by flooding would be visited more frequently.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Finance.

 

Councillor Morrish on £2.816 million budget savings not delivered.

 

The Executive Member reminded Council that at the time of budget setting it was highlighted that making savings would be very challenging and it was right to set challenging targets.  The Council had to seek exceptional financial support from the Government and £3.5 million was included for potential undelivered savings.  The savings had not been forgotten and were expected to be achieved in the current budget as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).  It was clarified that in relation to those savings that had not been delivered, it was that they were not able to be delivered within the timescale of last year’s budget, rather than they would not be delivered at all.  78% of savings were delivered, and in some areas such as Green Waste income       they were over-delivered.    The main areas where savings targets were not delivered were Adults and Children’s Services.  The Executive Member also reminded Councillor Morrish of his offer to congratulate officers if the budget was delivered and to buy them a drink.

 

 

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.

 

Councillor Morrish on plans for the south of the town.

 

The Executive Member confirmed that he had attended a meeting of Nunthorpe Parish Council but unfortunately was unable to attend the last South NAP meeting due to diary clash.  The Executive Member stated that he would be pleased to attend any relevant meetings across the town and his focus was not solely on Hemlington.  The Executive Member had been working with the Police in relation to the problem of off-road bike nuisance.  The Executive Member also confirmed that he would be working closely with the neighbourhood teams and Councillors to resolve ward issues such as fly-tipping and illegal parking.

 

Question in relation to the report of the Executive Member for Development.

 

Councillor Saunders on empty shops and shop closures in the town centre.

 

The Executive Member agreed that it was a sad state of affairs that in Middlesbrough and towns across the country more shops were closing.  The current trend was towards online shopping or shopping in cities and out of town retail parks.    Whilst the retail space in Middlesbrough had halved, office space had doubled, and the Council continue to try and attract new investors.  The Executive Member listed some of the businesses that had opened in the Captain Cook Square since it came under Council ownership including Bazaar, Level X and Fun Shack.  Investment in the train station and the surrounding area including Stack was also highlighted.

 

Question in relation to the report of the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability. 

 

Councillor Wilson on solar powered lighting.

 

The Executive Member explained that whilst consideration had been given to the potential savings from solar power and the positive impact for the environment, other considerations included high initial costs, risk of equipment theft due to its value, and the impact of other environmental factors such as snow, dust and moisture, which could affect the equipment.  The Executive Member agreed that he would look into the option of a trial as suggested by Councillor Wilson.

 

Question in relation to the report of the Executive Member for Finance.

 

Councillor Kabuye on key factors for the budget underspend in the previous financial year.

 

The Executive Member stated that the underspend was due to good financial planning.  There had been a rigorous monitoring process which was under-pinned by Member- led budget clinics.  The change in culture had been important to address the Best Value Notice and the financial issues that the Council had been facing.  Councillors and Officers had supported the process, and the Executive Member thanked everyone involved.  As previously highlighted, there was still a challenge to deliver savings this year and the first quarter budget clinics were scheduled for next week.  Whilst there was still pressure in some service areas, additional funding had been made for area care and also the Priorities Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

Questions for the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability.

 

Councillor Hubbard and Councillor L Young on food waste collection.

 

The Executive Member clarified that each household would be provided with a small indoor food collection caddy as well as a larger 23 litre caddy.  The food waste would be processed at anaerobic digestion plant where it would be converted to produce biogas which could be used to produce electricity, heat or fuel.

 

The Executive Member welcomed the increase in area care operatives and pest control provision.    This was the first major investment into environmental services for over a decade.  These improvements would not have been possible without the improved government settlement and sound financial management.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS:

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Development.

 

Councillor McClintock on why the updated Nunthorpe Masterplan had not been made available.

 

The Executive Member agreed to organise a meeting with the Councillor and relevant Officers to provide an update.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Development.

 

Councillor Saunders on the office space and the area around the train station.

 

The Executive Member for Development stated that work was ongoing to improve the area around the train station.  It was acknowledged that the public realm could be improved.  Church House was being renovated and converted into apartments.  Gurney House, Vancouver House, Dundas House and CNE were all owned by private developers and did not meet modern standards for office accommodation in their current state.  The Council continued to try and work with private developers and the MDC to redevelop empty buildings to bring them back into use.  It was hoped that the Church House re-development could be the catalyst for similar projects.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability

 

Councillor Wilson on solar powered street lighting trials.

 

The Executive Member reiterated that the service area was actively looking at solar power for street lighting.